Sunday, August 24, 2008

Winnipeg's Funniest Person with a Day Job..is a Woman?!?

Winning Winnipeg's Funniest Person with a Day Job was an extremely exciting and overwhelming moment for me.
I think more than anything was having so many people whom I admire in the community, Jason Beck, John Duff, Ryan McMahon, Scott Porteous, Janet Shum, Dan Verville, Paul Samborski, Lee White, Steve Sim, Rob Bruneau, Andrew Lizotte, Aaron Merke, ...I could go on giving me their congrats. Hearing people tell me they believed in me, knew I could win etc. That I had worked so hard this year and it shows was surreal. And it made me really look at the work I have done and think..ya I really did.

Sometimes in comedy, we are so worried with not looking like we have an ego, making sure we stay modest and overtly self critical to show we don't think we are funny...even tho ironically if we didn't think we were funny, we wouldn't be on stage.
SO it really is a sick cycle, and sometimes it's OKAY to acknowledge a moment of success and feel good about accomplishing something, feel good about your work.

And so I do, and even though I really was stunned, I also am really happy. I feel truly blessed to everyone I have become friends with in this community, the advice and the guidance I have recieved from many comedians that I very much respect and admire and who I am now proud to call my friends. I think listening to critisms and having fun running material before getting on stage has helped my growth as a performer immensely. I'm so grateful for everyone that has listened to me run 'material' and helped me get past my crippling nervousness.

And as for those who didn't believe a female could win..Guess you bitches were wrong! I am so proud to be the first female to change this contest. Last Comic Standing had the same outcome...one woman amongst a lot of dudes. It certainly has it's challenges...and the numbers are always there. Being the only female performing at the Kingshead is a common weekly experiance. For a lot of reasons I wish this wasn't the case because I know women can be amazing comics...but it is also not so bad...because there can be female comics that make Cathy Comics come to life on stage...*shudder*.

Although it can be something to overcome...I think it was less important on Thursday night. I think it was about being funny...and that felt really good. I had a female comic approach me after the show, she was really excited that I won because "You did so great..and you are a chick..power to that" I also had someone I completely loathe as a person/comic...congratulate me..which was very nice and surprising for someone of such low character. These moments are just icing on the cake...but still it was hard for my inner "high five" not to kick into overdrive.

Thank you to everyone that came out to support...and to those who couldnt be there, but called me right after or sent me lovely messages on facebook.

What happens now? Quitting my job and moving to Vegas..haha or keep writing and pushing myself more to become a better performer and funny...and remember to do my daily affirmations.
If so many amazing people can believe in me...I think it's time I believe in myself.

CDL

Winnipeg

Thursday, August 21, 2008

The Finals

Well anyone who has been a part of Winnipeg's Funniest Person with a Day Job Contest, knows how much work it is over the summer, having 4- 5 shows..selling tickets, getting psyched up or psyched out..

I'm very honoured and excited to be a part of the finals this year. And I'm also looking forward to the craziness coming to an end.

Last year I kinda choked in the first round, in front of a table of friends and family and the guy I was into - embarrassing for sure. So really when I decided to try again this year - my goal was to do a set I felt proud of. And not to choke on my gin martini.

So I really tried to enjoy all of my performances and got a lot of great advice from many comics I admire in the city. I felt like people believed in me, and supported me.

I'm excited to be a part of tonight, the number of people that are coming out to support overwhelms me. I am happy to be in a great group of performers, and I do wish them all the best of luck. I hope everyone enjoys their 7 minutes tonight.

can't wait.

thanks.